Name: Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 Granny Smith apple wedges; 1 8-ounce can crescent roll dough; 1 cup unsalted butter; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7UP)

Craving a dessert that feels like a warm hug? Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are the perfect answer. With buttery, caramel-soaked crescents wrapped around tender apple slices, this treat delivers all the comfort of homemade pie with none of the fuss. It’s golden, gooey, and goes from prep to oven in under 10 minutes. Whether you’re serving a holiday crowd or just need something cozy on a weeknight, this dessert will win everyone over.

Think of these dumplings as a shortcut to a classic. The flaky crescent dough creates the ideal pocket for cinnamon-sugar apples, while a sweet soda glaze gives it a gooey, irresistible finish. They’re baked until bubbly and golden, creating a caramel sauce that pools beautifully on the plate. It’s the kind of dish you don’t just eat—you spoon up every last drop.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To bring these apple dumplings to life, you’ll want a few reliable kitchen tools:

9×13-inch baking dish: This is key for even baking and caramelization. Glass or ceramic dishes are best to showcase the bubbling sauce.
Paring knife or apple slicer: To prep your apples into perfect wedges—sharp, small, and maneuverable tools are best.
Small saucepan: You’ll need this to melt butter and stir in the sugar and cinnamon mixture for that rich sauce.
Measuring cups and spoons: Precision matters when balancing sweetness and spice.
Silicone spatula or spoon: Ideal for spreading and scraping the sugary sauce without waste.

These simple tools help ensure your dumplings cook evenly and look as delicious as they taste.

Ingredients for the Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

Each ingredient plays a distinct role in building the buttery, bubbling magic of these dumplings:

Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweet sauce and keeps their texture firm while baking.
Crescent roll dough: Pre-made dough simplifies everything. It bakes into golden, flaky perfection around the apples.
Unsalted butter: Essential for creating the rich, glossy sauce that coats each dumpling.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the sauce and enhances the caramelization process.
Brown sugar: Adds depth and molasses-like flavor to the syrupy glaze.
Ground cinnamon: Brings that cozy, warm spice you expect with apples.
Vanilla extract: Enhances every flavor and ties the sauce together.
Lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7UP): The secret ingredient! It bubbles up with the sugars to create an irresistibly gooey caramel sauce.

How To Make the Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

Step 1: Prep the Apples

Peel and core your apples, then slice them into 8 wedges per apple. Each wedge will be wrapped inside one crescent triangle.

Step 2: Wrap in Crescent Dough

Unroll your crescent dough and separate it into individual triangles. Place an apple wedge at the wide end of each triangle, then roll it up snugly.

Step 3: Arrange and Set in Pan

Place each rolled dumpling seam-side down in your greased 9×13 baking dish. Leave a little space between each.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon until just combined. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.

Step 5: Pour and Soda

Drizzle the buttery sugar sauce over the dumplings. Then carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around (not on top of) the dumplings to avoid washing off the sauce.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.

Serving and Storing Your Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

Serve these dumplings warm straight from the oven when the sauce is bubbling and the tops are golden. For extra indulgence, pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream. The contrast of cold creaminess against the hot, spiced apple dumpling is unmatched.

To store leftovers (if there are any!), let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second bursts or place in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes to crisp the dough slightly and reawaken that luscious sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the crescent dough from getting soggy?

Make sure to pour the soda around the dumplings, not directly on top. This helps preserve the top crust’s texture while allowing the bottom to soak up the caramel sauce.

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes! While Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness and firmness, Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples also work well.

Can I make these in advance?

They’re best fresh, but you can prep them a few hours ahead. Assemble the dumplings and store them covered in the fridge. Add sauce and soda just before baking.

What if I don’t have lemon-lime soda?

You can substitute with ginger ale or even a splash of apple cider for a more spiced twist. Just ensure it’s carbonated to help the sauce bubble and bake.

Can I make this recipe with crescent roll sheets instead of triangles?

Absolutely. Simply cut the sheet into 8 equal rectangles and wrap each around an apple slice as usual.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Not ideal. The texture of the crescent dough becomes too soft when thawed and reheated. Stick with fresh or refrigerated leftovers.

Want More Apple Dessert Ideas?

You might also like the Apple Enchiladas, a tortilla-wrapped twist soaked in syrupy cinnamon goodness. Or explore the cozy charm of Moist Apple Crumble Coffee Cake for a breakfast-turned-dessert favorite.

For slow-cooked sweetness, check out the Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples. And if you’re into baking with a creamy twist, the No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake offers a delightful contrast.

These recipes echo the warm, comforting flavors of Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings in unique and delicious ways.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this recipe to your favorite dessert boards for easy access later. Just click the Pin button.

If you give this a try, let me know how it went! Did you go classic or try a different soda? Maybe a cinnamon swirl? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your twist.

And if you’re craving more apple bakes and cozy sweets, follow me on Pinterest at LadyPlate where I post my daily creations and kitchen favorites.

Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

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Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 dumplings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are a fast, no-fuss dessert made with crescent dough, tart apples, and a bubbling cinnamon-butter glaze. Baked until golden with a touch of soda magic, they create a syrupy sauce that’s cozy, nostalgic, and impossible to resist.